Court orders DSS to release Bodejo, says detention unlawful

Abuja High Court, yesterday, ordered the release of the President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, from the Department of State Service (DSS) detention.

Justice Mohammed Zubairu, in a ruling, described Bodejo’s detention since December 9 after his arrest and without being charged to court, as unlawful .

Justice Zubairu made the order following an application for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum moved against the respondents by Bodejo’s lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN.

The judge held that the application was meritorious, having not been challenged by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the DSS DG, who are first and second respondents.

“The applicant is hereby released from the second respondent’s detention,” he declared.

Justice Zubairu, however, said Bodejo’s release from detention was not tantamount to an acquittal, and ordered Atabo, who appeared for him, to ensure that Bodejo was produced before the respondents, should there be any reason to file charges against him.

He equally warned the respondents not to detain him beyond the constitutional provisions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bodejo, in an ex-parte motion marked: M/16976/2024, sued the AGF and DSS DG.

Bodejo, in the motion dated and filed on December 19, had prayed the court to order his release from the detention of DSS pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

He also sought an order granting him leave to apply for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum against the respondents.